In the team’s two most recent matches, Wrestling has enjoyed back-to-back wins against Parsippany 42-33 and Pequannock, both on Jan. 18, bringing the season record to 4-6.
This was a welcome turnaround for the Rams, following four losses in a row, against Montville 61-11 on Jan. 18, Roxbury 47-30 on Jan. 17, Morristown 45-30 on Jan. 15, and Pompton Lakes on Jan. 11.
Rampage was on hand to cover the team’s first match of the week, against Pompton Lakes on Saturday, Jan. 11.
Randolph vs. Pompton Lakes, Saturday, Jan. 11
The Randolph wrestling team faced Pompton Lakes in a dramatic duel on Jan. 11, losing 53-28.
Entering the dual, the Rams were missing key wrestlers due to illness and injury, including sophomore Nick Feldi and senior Yash Pullamvalappil.
“We were missing our 120 lbs, 150 lbs, 157 lbs, and 285 lbs,” explained junior Vishruth Gunna regarding the loss. “We were bound for a tough match with giving up all the forfeit points.”
The match started off on the wrong foot as Randolph lost its 138 and 144 bouts, with both getting pinned. The Rams faced two forfeits in the 150 and 157 weight divisions, giving Pompton Lakes a colossal 35-0 lead.
After losses in the 165- and 175-lbs categories, the Rams began to rally. Captain Andrew Zeidman secured a hard-fought pin in the 195-lbs match, giving the Rams a surge of energy.
Momentum continued to build as 106-lbs freshman AJ Alessandra won by technical fall, dominating his opponent 22-7 and boosting team morale. The Rams now trailed 47-11.
The Rams continued to fight as sophomore William Mihalko pinned his opponent in the 113-lbs match. The Rams were able to secure the 20-3 victory in the 126-lbs category, winning by technical fall. Despite another forfeit in the 120-lbs match, the Rams stayed resilient.
In the final match of the evening, 132-lbs sophomore Aiden Madayag-Williams secured a first-period pin, bringing the final score to 53-28.
“As a team, we were down, missing lots of wrestlers such as Nick Feldi, our 157, and Aaron Sammy, our 126,” Madayag-Williams explained. “We still pushed through for individual wins at the weights we had, like at 120, 113, and 132.”
Although the Rams fell short, they demonstrated heart and grit, with all their victories coming by technical fall or pin.
Cheer on the Wrestling Rams as they face Parsippany Hill next, tomorrow, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m.
